Automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys



7, 1968 iCHlRO TSUNODA 3,398,480

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS Filed Aug. 31, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ICHZ'fiO 751i IUODA BY KW Kw Age 1968 ICHIRO TSUNODA 3,398,480

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS Filed Aug. 31, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 52 IOI I08 In :0? I09 I NVEN TOR.

BY I

m! MM Age ZCHZWO TS'LM/ODH g- 2 1968 ICHIRO TSUNODA 3,398,480

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS Filed Aug. 31, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1,-

,"q l5 H2 I we INVENTOR. Ic/lmo rsuA/am B KID 'W United States Patent 3,398,480 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS Ichiro Tsunoda, Tokyo, Japan, assignor of one-half to Shigeichi Hoshikuma, Yokohama-sh], Japan Filed Aug. 31, 1965, Ser. No. 483,964 Claims priority, application Japan, Sept. 10, 1964, 39/ 51,080 4 Claims. (Cl. 46244) This invention relates to an automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys, more particularly relates to an automatic apparatus in which the sense of the rotating direction of the motor electrically driving a toy is reversed when the inertial element provided on the shaft of the motor transfers a reversing switch in accordance with the sudden decrement of the'rotation of the motor and also in which the sense of the rotating direction of the motor is again reversed to the original sense of the rotating direction.

The apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention provides an inertial element which comprises an inertial disc, a rod with screws fitted loosely within the center hole of the inertial disc and provided with a center bore into which the shaft of the motor is inserted and a pair of washers preventing the inertial disc from escaping away from the rod and fitted at the both ends of the rod, and also provides a reversing switch operated by the inertial disc as the disc shifts along the shaft of the motor. The inertial element transfers the reversing switch to reverse the sense of the rotating direction of the motor in accordance with the sudden decrement of the rotation of the motor and, thereafter, the sense of the rotating direction of the motor is again reversed to the orignal sense of the rotating direction.

An object of this invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys having interesting and smooth motion which reverse the sense of the rotating direction repeatedly.

The apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention provides a set of ratchet means fixed on the shaft for driving the toys and on the driven member, respectively, said ratchet means rotating with the shaft for driving the toys when said driving shaft rotates in the forward direction (the normal directon) and locking the driven member when said driving shaft rotates in the backward direction (the reverse direction).

Therefore, another object of this invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys having different mode of operation in accordance with the sense of the rotating direction of the motor.

The apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention provides means for pushing or pulling a connecting rod mounted on a gear of irregular shape meshing with a pinion gear mounted on the driving shaft, in accordance with the sense of the rotating direction in the forward direction (the normal direction) or in the backward direction (the reverse direction). The means operates to steer the rear wheels of the toys or to move the blade of a bulldozer toy.

Therefore, a further object of this invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys in which steering of the rear wheels or moving the blade of the toys is recognize-d as if the steering or the moving was effected by only the operators will. The apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention provides a self disconnecting which operated by a cam having gears engaging with a worm fixed on the shaft for driving the toys.

The electrical circuit of the apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention can be provided with switch means which has a contact being opened by "ice the vibration of a sound wave receiver operated by the sound coming from a whistle and the like.

Therefore, a further object of this invention is to provide an automatic apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys in which the sense of the rotating direction of the motor electrically driving the toys is reversed when the inertial element provided on the shaft of the motor operates in accordance with the sudden decrement of the rotation of the motor not only due to the variation of the external load but also due to the cutting off of the circuit connecting the motor to an electrical source.

These objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon a study of the following specification and drawings of which:

FIG, 1 is a perspective view of an inertial element constituting a part of the apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus for controlling electrically driven toys of this invention, which is partially cut off,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, which is partially cutoff,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the self disconnecting switch mounted on a shaft for driving the toys,

FIG. 5 is a skeleton diagram showing the electrical connection of 'the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, in one operating condition, and

FIG. 6 is a skeleton diagram showing the electrical connection of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in the other operating condition utilizing the sound wave receiver.

In FIG. 1, a rod 2 with a male screw on the surface thereof and a center bore 3 therethrough is loosely fitted into the hole of an inertial disc 1 and the hole is provided with a female screw engaging with the male screw of rod 2. A pair of washers 4 and 4 are secured at either end of rod 2 in order to prevent inertial disc 1 from escaping from rod 2. The combination of inertial disc 1, rod 2 and a pair of Washers 4 and 4' is referred to an inertial element 5, hereinafter.

A shaft 7 of motor 6 for driving toy assembly 8 is inserted into center bore 3. A pinion gear 10 mounted on one end of shaft 7 and gears 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are arranged within a frame 9 in order to rotate a shaft 16 for driving rear wheels 57.

Fixed contacts 17, 18 and 19 are mounted on a base 20 fixed on a support 21 used for supporting reversing switch 27. A lever 22 which is inserted into the both side walls of support 21 is provided with a U-shaped end 23 at the extremity thereof. U-shaped end 23 limits the axial move ment of inertial disc 1. A pair of slidable leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 engages with a pair of fixed contacts 17 and 18 or a pair of fixed contacts 18 and 19 and leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 are mounted on a base 26 fixed to lever 22. A reversing switch 27 comprises base 20 with fixed contacts 17, 18 and 19, a support 21, a lever 22, and a pair of leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 and is mounted on the upper part of toy assembly 8 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In FIG. 4, worm 50 secured on shaft 16 meshes with a gear 52 constituting a peripheral part of a cam 21. When shaft 16 rotates in the normal direction cam 51 rocks downward 'as shown by the arrow L and when shaft 16 rotates in the reverse direction cam 51 rocks upward as shown by the arrow R so that self disconnecting switch 53 opens.

A ratchet 54 is mounted on shaft 16 rotatably and a projection 55 of ratchet 54 is inserted into a hole provided in a chassis 56 of the toy or frame of the toy so that ratchet 54 does not rotate with the rotation of shaft 16. A driven member 57, such as the wheel of the toy assembly, with a pair of ratchet on either side of driven member 57 is rotatably mounted on shaft 16. A

ratchet 58 and a spring 59 urging ratchet 58 to driven member 57 are also rotata'bly mounted on shaft 16 so that ratchet 58 meshes with a ratchet on either side of driven member 57. A washer 60 is fixed on shaft 16 so as to prevent ratchet 54, driven member 57, ratchet 58 'and spring 59 from escaping from shaft 16. A projection 62 provided on shaft 16 is inserted into a slot provided in ratchet 58 so that ratchet 58 can rotate with shaft 16 when ratchet 58 shifts towards driven member 57 by being urged by spring 59.

In FIG. 3, a pinion gear 63 fixed on shaft 16 has a part of the teeth removed from the periphery thereof and meshes with a gear 65 of an irregular shape. Gear 65 can operate connecting rod 64 depending on the direction of the rotation of the motor and at the extremity of rod 64 is provided a utilization device, such as a steering apparatus or the blade of a bulldozer.

In FIGS. and 6, terminals 101 and 102 are connected to fixed contacts 17 and 18, respectively, through lead wires 103 and 104 and slidable leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 are connected to a DC. source 112 through lead wires 108 and -109, and switch 105, respectively. The two terminals of selfdisconnecting switch 53 are connected to fixed contacts 17 and 19 through lead wires 113 and 114, respectively. A vibrating contact 116 of a sound wave receiver 115 is, as shown in FIG. 6, connected in series with lead wire 109, said contact 116 being opened or the contact resistance of contact 116 being increased by the vibration received by the sound wave receiver to the effect that the rotation of motor 6 is suddenly decreased.

Spring 66 is fixed to gear 52 at one end thereof and to frame 9 at the other end thereof and biases gear 52 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 so that gear 52 normally meshes with worm 50. Spring 67 is fixed to gear 65 at one end thereof and to motor 6 at the other end thereof and biases gear 65 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 so that gear 65 normally meshes with pinion gear 63.

The operation of the automatic apparatus for controlling the electrically driven toys provided in accordance with this invention is explained as follows: Assuming that inertial disc 1 is in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, when switch 105 is closed motor 6 begins to rotate to a direction, referred to the normal direction hereinafter, as leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 engage with fixed contacts 17 and 18, respectively. The circuit for energizing motor 6 is traced as follows: from the positive terminal of DC. source 112 through a fixed contact 110 of switch 105, a movable contact 106 of switch 105, lead wire 108, leaf spring contact 24, fixed contact 17, lead wire 103, terminal 101, motor 6, terminal 102, lead wire 104, fixed contact 18, leaf spring contact 25, lead wire 109, a movable contact 107 of switch 105 and a fixed contact 111 of switch 105 to the negative terminal of DC. source 112.

Under this condition the toy advances in forward direction and cam 51 of self disconnecting switch 53 is at the downward position as shown by the arrow L. When the rotation of motor 6 decreases suddenly by the increment of an external load or a contact resistance of the contact of the sound wave receiver, inertial disc 1 shifts to the right as shown in FIG. 6 in the axial direction of lever 22 since the rotation of inertial disc 1 caused due to the inertia continues after the rotation of rod 2 decreases by the increment of an external load or a contact resistance of the contact of the sound wave receiver. Lever 22 advances to the right out of support 21 as shown in FIG. 6 and leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 engage with fixed contacts 18 and 19, respectively. The circuit for energizing motor 6 is traced as follows: from the positive terminal of DC. source 112 through a fixed contact 110, a movable contact 106, lead wire 8, leaf spring contact 24, fixed contact 18, lead wire 104, terminal 102, motor 6, terminal 101, lead wire 113, self disconnecting switch 53, lead wire 114, fixed contact 19, leaf spring contact 25, sound wave receiver 115 if necessary, lead wire 109, a movable contact 107 and a fixed contact 111 to the negative terminal of DC. source 112. The polarity of the potential applied to motor 6 is now reversed so that the motor begins to rotate in the reverse direction. Cam 51 rocks upward in FIG. 4 in the direction shown by the arrow R to open self disconnecting switch 53. Inertial element 5 is again shifted to the left in FIG. 6 to the'effect that base 26 for leaf spring contacts is shifted to the left. Leaf spring contacts 24 and 25 engage with fixed contacts 17 and 18, respectively, and motor 6 begins to rotate again in the normal direction.

In conclusion, the toys advancing forward reverse the moving direction by the increment of the external load or the contact resistance of the contact of the sound wave signal. Since driven member 57 does not rotate with the backward moving of the toys and connecting rod 64 can be used to steer the toys to modify the direction of the backward movement of the toys, when the toys advance again forward in the normal direction the latter direction of advancing differs from the former direction of advancing so that the toys seems to be controlled at the operators own will. At the movement in the reverse direction connecting rod 64 can be used to raise the blade of a bulldozer and at the movement in the normal direction connecting rod 64 can be used to lower the blade to the effect that the toys can be operated at the operators own will.

What is claimed is:

1. In electrically driven toys provided with an inertial element comprised of an inertial disc, a rod with screws fitted loosely within the center hole of the inertial disc and provided with a center bore into which the shaft of a motor electrically driving the toys is inserted and a pair of washers preventing the inertial disc from escaping the rod and fitted at both ends of the rod, and provided with a reversing switch for transferring the polarity of the potential applied to the motor,

an automatic apparatus for controlling the electrically driven toys comprising:

a self disconnecting switch operated by a cam having gears engaging a worm fixed on the shaft for driving the toys, and

a set of ratchet means fixed on the shaft for driving the toys and on the driven member, respectively,

said set of ratchet means rotating with the shaft for driving the toys when said driving shaft rotates in the forward direction and locking the driven member when said driving shaft rotates in the backward direction.

2. In electrically driven toys provided with .an inertial element comprised of an inertial disc, a rod with screws fitted loosely within the center hole of the inertial disc and provided wth a center bore into which the shaft of a motor electrically driving the toys is inserted and a pair of washers preventing the inertial disc from escaping the rod and fitted at both ends of the rod, and provided with a reversing switch for transferring the polarity of the potential applied to the motor,

an automatic apparatus for controlling the electrically driven toys comprising:

a self disconnecting switch operated by a cam having gears engaging a worm fixed on the shaft for driving the toys, and

means for pushing or pulling a connecting rod mounted on a gear of irregular shape meshing with a pinion gear mounted on the shaft for driving the toys,

said means for pushing or pulling a connecting rod operating to steer the rear wheels of the toys.

3. In electrically driven toys provided with an inertial element comprised of an inertial disc, a rod'with screws fitted loosely within the center hole of the inertial disc and provided with a center bore into which the shaft of a motor electrically driving the toys is inserted and a pair of Washers preventing the inertial disc from escaping the rod and fitted at both ends of the rod, and provided with a reversing switch for transferring the polarity of the potential applied to the motor,

an automatic apparatus for controlling the electrically driven toys comprising:

a self disconnecting switch operated by a cam having gears engaging a worm fixed on the shaft for driving the toys, and

switch means having a contact being opened by the vibration of a sound wave receiver operated by the sound coming from a whistle,

said switch means being connected in series with the circuit connecting the motor to an electrical source.

4. In electrically driven toys provided with an inertial element comprised of an inertial disc, a rod with screws fitted loosely within the center hole of the inertial disc and provided with a center bore into which the shaft of a motor electrically driving the toys is pressed and a pair of washers preventing the inertial disc from escaping the rod and fitted at the both ends of the rod, and provided with a reversing switch for transferring the polarity of the potential applied to the motor,

an automatic apparatus for controlling the electrically driven toys comprising:

a self disconnecting switch operated by a cam having gears engaging with a worm fixed on the shaft for driving the toys,

a set of ratchet means fixed on the shaft for driving the toys and on the driven member, respectively,

said set of ratchet means rotating with the shaft for driving toys when said driving shaft rotates in the forward direction and locking the driven member when said driving shaft rotates in the backward direction, and

means for pushing or pulling a connecting rod mounted on a gear of irregular shape meshing with a pinion gear mounted on the shaft for driving the toys,

said means for pushing or pulling a connecting rod operating to move the blade of a bulldozer toy.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,995,866 8/1961 Johnson 46244 3,014,311 12/1961 Ernst 46244 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,304,969 8/1962 France.

1,160,769 l/1964 Germany.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner. 

4. IN ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS PROVIDED WITH AN INERTIAL ELEMENT COMPRISED OF AN INERTRAL DISC, A ROD WITH SCREWS FITTED LOOSELY WITHIN THE CENTER HOLE OF THE INERTIAL DISC AND PROVIDED WITH A CENTER BORE INTO WHICH THE SHAFT OF A MOTOR ELECTRICALLY DRIVING THE TOYS IS PRESSED AND A PAIR OF WASHERS PREVENTING THE INERTIAL DISC FROM ESCAPING THE ROD AND FITTED AT THE BOTH ENDS OF THE ROD, AND PROVIDED WITH A REVERSING SWITCH FOR TRANSFERRING THE POLARITY OF THE POTENTIAL APPLIED TO THE MOTOR, AN AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TOYS COMPRISING: A SELF DISCONNECTING SWITCH OPERATED BY A CAM HAVING GEARS ENGAGING WITH A WORM FIXED ON THE SHAFT FOR DRIVING THE TOYS, 